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Monday, 4 May 2015

Knowle relocation project: the story so far

The Save Our Sidmouth group has long opposed the District Council's relocation project. Here is a summary of its position from a couple of days ago:Council’s ‘final decision’ to relocate: SOS comment, and update on Tribunal

‘Whilst we are naturally disappointed by the decision to relocate, it was not unexpected. East Devon District Council has an overwhelming majority of one party and is dominated by a Cabinet of strong views andpersuasions.The rest of the majority party follow the leadership, even when the last incumbent local MP is against the move.

Save Our Sidmouth has two main areas of concern about the relocation project: implications for the District, and for the Town:

With regard to the District, we are concerned that• There is a great loss in capital assets. Land and property worth nearly £10m is being traded for a property in Honiton worth as an asset about £3.25 m, all to save a hypothetical sum of £6m in operating costs over 20 years (these are EDDC’s own figures).• Large loans, (£9.5m for several years and then £2.1m for 20 years), are being taken to finance the move.• All predictions over these durations are highly conjectural and likely to be wrong.• There will be a probable reorganisation of Local Government in the near future which will render the relocation project meaningless.• There will almost certainly be a change in EDDC political makeup in May 2015, which may change EDDC’s attitude to relocation.• Inefficiencies are likely to result from having a HQ in two places (Honiton and Exmouth).• The relocation argument focuses on the as yet untried “Mobile working, WORKSMART initiatives, and Mobile Hubs”, all of which could fail and not provide the promised efficiencies.• There has been no real effort on the part of EDDC, (apart from a cursory blanket-costing), of the option of using the newer building at the Knowle. This was in truth ruled out by EDDC from the start.• The chosen developer has been approved by EDDC without negotiating ‘Heads of Terms’ which means that the developer is in a very strong negotiating position.

With regard to Sidmouth we are concerned over• the loss of 300 professional jobs, with over 80 of those coming from Sidmouth• the loss of over £1m in local income from the relocation of the current HQ, (EDDC own figures)• the loss of parkland and terraces outside the building footprint, which will severely damage the visual aspects and deny the public a right to enter.

In all of their dealings with the public, EDDC have demonstrated arrogance, and disregard for real discussions with the public, real consultation, and public opinion. This may well be demonstrated in the forthcoming decision by the First Tier Tribunal (EDDC vs Information Commissioner & Jeremy Woodward)*, where the judgement could be that EDDC must release data, a decision that they have been fighting for over two years at a cost of well over £10,000, for QC’s fees.

Although the decision has been to relocate we intend to continue with our fight, and we have some real opportunities to stop the relocation.

Firstly, we have taken legal opinion regarding EDDC’s land grabbing of the terrace land and are considering our options.Secondly, the Knowle Residents’Association has submitted an application to have the parkland registered as an Asset of Community Value**.Thirdly, Devon County Council has been asked to register public rights of way through the upper terraces, based on public usage. EDDC has objected to this and we will have an opportunity to make our case for the registration in a Public Inquiry which will take place in September.Fourthly, the chosen developer still has to apply for planning permission for the development, and SOS will resist this to the maximum degree.

** Asset of Community Value. EDDC has initially rejected this application as being unsatisfactory. Knowle Residents’ Association and Save Our Sidmouth are currently in negotiation with EDDC with a view to submitting an improved plan. More news will be posted when available.